Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Saturday, Jun 21, 2025

H5N8 strain of bird flu discovered in Hong Kong for the first time

H5N8 strain of bird flu discovered in Hong Kong for the first time

Two samples of bird droppings taken from Mai Po nature reserve tested positive for the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain.

Hong Kong authorities have stepped up their vigilance against bird flu after a highly pathogenic strain was detected in the city for the first time.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said on Thursday it was notified that two samples of bird droppings taken from Mai Po nature reserve by university researchers last Wednesday had tested positive for the H5N8 strain.

Located in the northwestern New Territories bordering Deep Bay, Mai Po is Hong Kong’s largest remaining wetland and recognised for its global importance for sustaining bird migrations. The area is an internationally acclaimed marshland and haven for tens of thousands of migratory birds.

WWF-Hong Kong, which manages the reserve, said it had stepped up cleansing and disinfection of tourist facilities including bird hides and a floating boardwalk. A carpet with disinfectant was also placed at the entrance.

H5N8 bird flu is not known to have ever infected humans, according to experts.


Migratory birds stop off at Tai Sang Wai, near Mai Po nature reserve.


No poultry farms were located within 3km (1.9 miles) of the reserve, the department said. It has reminded poultry farmers, bird shop owners and licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons to take precautions against bird flu.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, meanwhile, said it would continue to be vigilant in regard to live poultry stalls.

The samples were collected by a bird flu surveillance research team from the University of Hong Kong’s school of public health.

Professor Leo Poon Lit-man, who was involved in the team, told the Post it was the first time the highly pathogenic H5N8 virus was detected in Hong Kong.

“It was not very surprising to see as this virus has been prevalent elsewhere. It is possible the virus was brought into Hong Kong through migratory birds,” Poon said, adding that further tests would be done to determine the sources of the virus.

Globally there have been outbreaks of H5N8 among wild birds and poultry farms in mainland China and countries such as South Korea, Japan, Germany and France, prompting culls of millions of chickens.

Poon warned that local poultry farms could suffer major losses if the virus spread to their birds, which were likely to be wiped out.

Although there have not been any reports of humans being infected with H5N8, Poon said it could not be completely ruled out.

“The chance of human infection is low, but there could be exceptional cases for people who have a weak immune system, and I cannot rule out such a possibility,” he said.

Previous human infections from highly pathogenic bird flu viruses, such as H5N1 and H7N9, have caused fatalities.

Poon said that although many parts of the world were still grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic, there was no evidence to suggest the coronavirus made it easier for humans to be infected with bird flu.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Black Box Recovered from Air India Crash Site
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Global News Roundup: From Ukraine's strategic military strikes and Russia's demands and Tensions Escalate in Ukraine, to serious legal issues faced by Britons in Bali and Trump's media criticism, the latest developments highlight a turbulent landscape
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
×